The Los Angeles Dodgers, according to reports, have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Chris Reed, whom the team selected with the 16th pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. The pick is expected to be officially announced by the club on Friday. Reed continued a streak by the Dodgers of nine straight years selecting a pitcher with their first draft pick.
Reed signed for a bonus of just under $1.6 million, according to Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles. The recommended slot for the number 16 pick in the draft is $1,512,000, according to Baseball America. "He’s an excellent competitor, has three quality pitches, sound mechanics and a great deal of athleticism," said Dodgers' assistant GM Logan White, who has ran Dodger drafts since 2002. "He’s also a smart, local guy who has a fine family background."
Reed, 21, pitched almost exclusively in relief for Stanford, but the Dodgers plan to use him as a starter. According to Jackson, Reed will report to advanced Class A Rancho Cucamonga to begin his professional career. As a junior at Stanford in 2011, Reed was 6-2 with nine saves and a 2.56 ERA in 52 2/3 innings. Reed walked 17, struck out 52, and allowed just one home run all season.
For more news and information on the Dodgers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.